Being my travels down those great two lane highways of this nation as well as news I learn about them from media sources. Since I'm also very interested in historic preservation, there will be a lot of that as well.

Monday, December 31, 2018

From the April 11, 2018, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"The corner of First Street and the Lincoln Highway is a traffic treacherous at this time inasmuch as the new building there obstructs the view of Lincoln Highway east, to which motorists have become accustomed.

"At this rime the contractors at work on the new garage have large piles of materials near the corner, and this further adds to the danger, and it behooves all autoists to approach this corner slowly to avoid accidents of all kinds."

From the December 5, 2018, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"As F.M. Rowan was backing his car onto West Lincoln Highway yesterday morning the street car came along at about the same time.

"The engine of the auto died, and as the rails were rather slippery, the street car could not be stopped. The two cars came together but with little force, as a result the damage to the automobile was slight. The running board was damaged to some extent as the street car edged it from the track."

Saturday, December 29, 2018

November 27-- Tourism center opens in building housing the former Lincoln law office in Springfield, Illinois.

This is a project by the Springfield Tourism Bureau which sure pushes it Lincoln heritage.

It is in the 1840 3-story Tinsley Dry Goods building. The Lincoln Law Office was closed three years ago for a $1 million renovation and would have been finished much sooner except for the state's budget impasse between Speaker of the House Madigan and Gov. Brauner.

It is located on the southeast corner of the Old Capitol Plaza.

Glad to have it open again. Now if someone would just reopen Norb Andy's by the current state capitol building.

NOVEMBER 25-- Pacific, Missouri, moves forward with Red Cedar Inn project. They are turning the former restaurant into a history and visitors center. A contract with an architect was approved November 6.

Plans call for it to be a visitors center, regional museum and a venue with a Route 66 roadside park complex.

The Red cedar Inn was built in 1932 by the Smith brothers. It is on the NRHP and closed abruptly in 2005.

One of my major disappointments was not going to it in the few years after 2002 that I knew about it before it closed.

Looking forward to going inside even if it is not to eat. It is a neat-looking place on the outside.

Friday, December 28, 2018

Even though we were early, we still had to park on the other side of the railroad tracks in downtown DeKalb. This means you might likely have a wait for a train to go by. Lots and lots of trains run through DeKalb. And they run through REAL FAST. I mean, real fast.

You don't try to beat the train, either on foot or in a car. We had to wait for a train to go by. We always laugh at each other and say, "Imagine that. A train going through DeKalb." If we didn't hear a train, we'd think we were in the wrong town.

We went in through the back door of Lord Stanley's, our new place to go in downtown DeKalb. Of course, it is on the Lincoln Highway.

Back when we were in school, this place was Daddy-O's Shamrock. Not too far west of it, on the corner of 1st and Lincoln Highway was Otto's (called the Uprising when we were at Northern). That has now been torn down and a nice-looking apartment building built in its place.

Just to the east, and across the Lincoln Highway stands Andy's and McCabes, two other college watering holes.

Thursday, December 27, 2018

From the Lagoon, we drove east into a residential/student housing area, past the original Delta Sig (Delta Sigma Phi) house on 242 Augusta. This was the house the fraternity was in when I pledged and had Hell Weekend before becoming an active. It was kind of a dump then and continues to be although now it is student housing. But, it was Our House. The next year we moved out to Greek Row on Greenbrier.

Lots of beautiful big old trees along Augusta Avenue which are turning brilliant hues of gold this time of the year.

Now we were downtown DeKalb and drove around it a bit. The main street running east-west through it is Illinois Highway 38, but at one time was the Lincoln Highway. All addresses are still Lincoln Highway and the road is also called that.

Back in the day, we used to do the Lincoln Crawl, where we would hit lots of bars downtown like Andy's, McCabes, the Shamrock, Uprising, Candle Light and Sullivans. There were others, but I don't remember them.

I don't know. Just something about college and drinking.

We never knew it was the Lincoln Crawl because of the nation's oldest transcontinental highway.

"The automobiles of the city of DeKalb have little or no respect for the traffic post at the corner of Fourth and the Lincoln Highway. Some of the drivers here in town tear around the corner at Fourth, going north, and traveling at the rate of 35 or 40 miles an hour.

"There are a few drivers who believe that the post was put there for a purpose, and that of keeping the traffic going the right way and use it for such."

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

From the November 28, 2018, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"Motormen on street cars operating in and out of DeKalb are getting so they have less respect than ever for motorists, due to the chances that are taken every day with the street cars. Last night, for instance, when the cars were a little late, a DeKalb man coming east on the highway cut in ahead of the car at the Normal bridge, and narrowly missed being hit.

"The fender of the auto and the street car brushed and had the incident happened a couple of seconds later there would have been a serious accident. The bridge is narrow and motorists who chance it with the street car are taking a big chance, and should use a little common sense in the matter."

Monday, December 24, 2018

"A couple of ladies, traveling by flivver, were compelled to stop over here the other day for gas and oil and incidentally a few repairs. The best part of the latter incident was the fact that the women were independent of any auto expert when they discovered the flivver didn't fliv.

"Instead of becoming frustrated and running about looking for a mechanic the young lady in an unconcerned manner, took a hairpin from her hair, raised the hood of the car and in a moment 'Henry' was going at a rapid rate."

Saturday, December 22, 2018

There were Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco barns in twenty-two states (mostly in the Midwest). Farmers who had the ads placed on their barns were modestly compensated by the Wheeling, West Virginia, based tobacco company.

They employed painters. One of whom was Harley Warrick of Ohio who estimates he painted 20,000 barns over his long career. Hus retirement marked the end of the Mail Pouch barn-painting era.

One of the remaining Mail Pouch signs is in Marshall County, Indiana. Her family has owned the farm, six miles east of Plymouth, since 1890. She readily acknowledged that the barn was in bad shape and she was debating options of what to do with it.

On Tuesday, July 17, she found a 7 by 21-foot section of the barn gone.

Friday, December 21, 2018

JULY 18 In Marshall County, Indiana, an old Mail Pouch barn advertising mural was stolen. It was seven tall and twenty-four feet long. It was located just off Lincoln Highway near Gumwood.

Also in July, a massive tornado ripped through Marshalltown, Iowa, causing much damage.

JULY 21-- Many decades ago, the Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco Company began an advertising campaign placing their message on the sides of barns in rural areas. Between 1891 and 1962 they were put up, urging chewers to "Treat Yourself To The Best."

They featured bold white lettering, with the brand name in yellow that stood in contrast with the red or black barn siding..

Thursday, December 20, 2018

We drove around campus, past where Douglas Hall once stood. It has been torn down to straighten Lucinda Avenue. Liz lived in it for a year and a half. Nearby stands Lincoln Hall, where I lived freshman year on the 3rd floor of C Wing, Home of the Keggers. Earlier this fall we had noticed it was quite dark and found out today that it is closed and on the list to also be torn down. I hope not. Hey, that's my history.

Next, we drove along Lincoln Highway (Illinois Highway-38) eastward to the Lagoon. We both consider the Lagoon area and Altgeld Hall, the original building of the school, as the most beautiful spot on campus. It is water surrounded by walkways, landscaping and bridges. Plus, in the last ten years, the original entryway to the school was rebuilt and is a stunner.

Near the road going by the Lagoon is named Castle Drive as Altgeld Hall looks like a castle. There is even a stone with an inscription to Gus Goose, a favorite goose of the Lagoon who was cantankerous and you hadn't lived until you had been "goosed" by Gus Goose. He especially liked doing it to the coeds. After you were "goosed" he was friendly, especially if you had food for him. The inscription names him William the Goose, but no one I knew ever called him anything but Gus.

Sadly, he was found dead one day back in the 1970s under suspicious circumstances. You can search "Death of William Goose" to find out the particulars.

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Next, we drove out to Greek Row, north of campus. I lived out here for sophomore year at the Delta Sigma Phi house at 814 Greenbrier. It is still there, but now just student housing. I sure had a great time at that house.

Many of the fraternities and sororities from when I was a student are still out there and a few still in the same house. Sadly, my Delta Sigs broke up the next year, when I was at Georgia. There was a really strong Delta Sigma Phi chapter back in the late 1980s, but they got in trouble and were removed from campus.

Oh well!!

Sadly, Northern no longer has a homecoming parade, nor do the Greeks have house decks or floats. I guess students are now too busy staring at their cell phones. Plus, there was a surprisingly large number of students walking around out there as opposed to being out at Huskie Stadium for the game. Several fraternities were actually having parties out on Greek Row instead of out there pulling for the team.

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

NOVEMBER 14-- The Minor League AA affiliate of the San Diego Padres has picked Sod Poodles as the new name of the Amarillo baseball team. Sod Poodles is another name for prairie dogs (I was wondering).

Other names in the final selection were Boot Scooters, Bronc Busters and Jerky & the Long Haulers.

The home opener at the new stadium in downtown Amarillo will be April 8 against the Midland Rock Hounds

This is an interesting name, but I don't think the name Sod Poodles will strike much fear into opponents. But, I must commend the minor league teams for interesting names, including my own favorite Clinton Lumber Kings.

Friday, December 14, 2018

Rick's was the place to get together off campus (just a block) and within easy walking distance of Grant, Douglas, Stephenson and Grant dorms. The place was practically standing room only and you'd be lucky to find a table.

When they moved over to the Village Commons Center at Annie Glidden and Lucinda roads I figured they would do even better business. A whole lot closer to the dorms and three times the size. But it just wasn't the same. The huge crowds never materialized.

But they had great pizza and food.

Meals at Smoke Signals aren't cheap, but they sure are good and there is a lot of it.. Liz had a burger and I had the pulled pork. We came no where finishing the huge and delicious portions. The wait staff couldn't have been friendlier and even the owner, Chef Roy came around to see how the food was.

All I can say is, "We'll be back." (And we were so full we couldn't even order any of the naked nuggets at Pizza Pro's later that night.)

Thursday, December 13, 2018

We looked around the Village Commons Bookstore, but didn't find any NIU items we had to have. So took a walk around the other stores in the center.

We were getting a bit hungry about now and found a place called Smoke Signals BBQ. (Partly because they were grilling right outside near the street. Something about that aroma wafting does it every time.) The place is evidently a new venture.

It is located where Rick's used to be in the 1970s. That was a pizza place that sold Italian beef and hot dogs as well. When I got to Northern in 1969, it was located in a small shopping center out by Lincoln Highway (Illinois Highway 38) which goes right through DeKalb. When I was a student, I never knew about that old historical road. As a matter of fact, I didn't know about it until I learned about Route 66 in 2002.

"Two automobile accidents occurred last night although neither one amounted to much.

"A gentleman from Aurora giving his name as Wetmore was looking for a cigar store and crashed into the Burlington-Lincoln Highway marker on Fourth street with some force, and the spring on his car was damaged and a hole made in the marker.

"Nate Woods collided with the Homer McDole car during the evening and this was also a soght accident and both cars were soon on their way."

Saturday, December 8, 2018

During the discussion to admit Illinois as a state, the northern border was moved twice. The original provisions of the Northwest Ordinance said the border would be straight across from the southern extremity of Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River. This would have left Illinois with no shoreline on Lake Michigan.

However, Indiana had successfully been granted a ten-mile northern extension of its boundary to provide it with usable lakefront. The original bill for statehood, submitted to Congress on January 23, 1818, had a northern border at the same latitude as Indiana's, ten miles north of the southernmost extremity of Lake Michigan.

But Illinois Territory delegate, Nathaniel Pope, wanted more. He lobbied to have it moved even further north. When the final bill passed Congress, the northern Illinois border was 51 miles north of the Indiana northern border. This added 8,500 square miles to Illinois, including the lead mining region by Galena.

More importantly, it added nearly 50 miles of shoreline on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. Pope envisioned a canal that would connect the Great Lakes to the Mississippi.

Thursday, December 6, 2018

As one of the youngest naval aviators, George Bush was assigned to Torpedo Squadron 51 (VT-51) as the photographic officer. The following year, his squadron was based on the light aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto as a member of Air Group 51.

While aboard, he received the nickname "Skin" because of his lanky physique. During this time, his air group took part in one of the largest air battles of WW II in the Pacific, the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

After his promotion to lieutenant (junior grade) on August 1, 1944, the USS San Jacinto began operations against the Japanese-held Bonin Islands.

That was the way the Illinois Territory was regarded when it was to become a state.

But, then national politics got involved.

Keeping the balance between slave and free states became paramount to both the North and South sections. Mississippi entered the Union as a slave state in 1817. The North needed another free state and Illinois seemed to be the likely candidate.

At the time, many of the settlers in the southern part of the state were from Kentucky and Tennessee, slave states.. They tended to support Illinois being a slave state. But, if Illinois had a port on Lake Michigan, it would develop ties with the north. Northerners would begin moving to the northern part of Illinois.

So, when Congress voted for statehood for Illinois in 1818, a resolution was attached to move the boundary fifty miles northward. Wisconsin, of course, was not a state at the time, nor would it have enough residents to become a state until 1848, when it joined the Union. People there weren't happy, but couldn't do anything about it.

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

From November 30, 2015, Wisconsin Public Radio "Chicago, Wisconsin? How the Windy City Almost Ended Up In the Badger State" by Erika Janik.

Illinois became a state on December 3, 1818, But, while doing so, some 8,500 square miles of territory that had been allotted to Wisconsin did not become a part of Wisconsin. This covered the whole northern part of what is today Illinois.

In the late 1700s American statesmen drew up plans of how new states would join the Union and a map was made. This was called the Northwest Ordinance. One of the men who drew it up was Nathan Dane, a Massachusetts attorney, for whom Wisconsin's Dane County, envisioned a straight line from the southern tip of Lake Michigan straight out to the Mississippi River.

Monday, December 3, 2018

Chicago very nearly wasn't in Illinois. It was originally supposed to be in Wisconsin. But things happened back 200 years ago as Illinois was about to become a state and the area from the southern tip of Lake Michigan to the present Wisconsin-Illinois border came to be in Illinois.

It would be weird typing this from Spring Grove, Wisconsin.

Well, we might have to do this anyway as it appears to be the only was to get rid of Madigan. Let him be Wisconsin's problem.

Friday, November 30, 2018

OCTOBER 5-- DeAnza Motor Lodge scheduled to reopen in April. In Albuquerque, New Mexico.

So far, it has been a $9 million project to renovate.

Built in 1939. At 4301 Central NE. Albuquerque will be glad it was saved.

OCTOBER 16-- Decades of Wheels opens in Baxter Springs, Kansas. They had some pretty good bands opening for them: Grand Funk Railroad and John Kay (of Steppenwolf). Always good to have another museum on Route 66.

OCTOBER 19-- A huge Route 66 shield has been painted on the road (you know which one) in front of Gay Parita in Paris Springs, Missouri.

Monday, November 26, 2018

Lincoln Highway went into the Championship games with a 2-1 lead, but St. Charles North lost. Both teams had Joliet Catholic which won the Class 5A Championship. As such, the Route 66-Lincoln Highway Showdown is ruled a tie for 2018.

Remember, Route 66 and the Lincoln Highway both go through Joliet.

Of interest, Joliet Catholic was in the playoffs and rounds after that for many years, but the last several years, they have hit upon hard times. They started the 256 team tournament with a 5-4 season record. Very few teams have overcome that record to win it all.

So, we're not going to the game, but didn't want to go to downtown DeKalb and start having cocktails this early, so we drove Lucinda Road (which really, really needs to be repaved) west to the Village Commons shopping center. It opened back when we were students at NIU, 1970.

It had the Village Commons Bookstore when we used to get royally ripped off for textbooks. Believe me, no one told me (or warned me) about how much those college books cost. It was a HUGE culture shock. But, it also has all sorts of NIU clothing, so, since we are in to that sort of thing, it is a good stop. And, they have a free parking lot.

The other place selling clothing (and those expensive textbooks) by campus is the University Center. I have to wonder in this age of digital if students still by hard copy books or pay to download (or even better free downloads)? The big problem with the University Center Bookstore is there is no free parking by it.

Saw some interesting stuff, but nothing that we HAD to Have. I always stock up on old Northern Star student newspapers at VCB, though. I find out what is going on on campus.

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Ok, so we puppied out of going to the game, but still plenty to do around campus for us alums.

We drone east on Lincoln Highway to our favorite part of campus, the Lagoon. This was formed back when DeKalb leaders were trying to get a college in the city in the 1890s. It is right by the "Mighty Kish," as we call the Kishwaukee River, which is actually more of a stream or creek.

The story has it that DeKalb leaders damned up the Kish and had the dam broken when state people were in town to select a college site so it looked like the Kishwaukee had a strong flow, which it doesn't have during the summer. (The headwaters of the Kishwaukee River are in Woodstock, Illinois, and we always drive by it on Illinois Highway 47 when we go to DeKalb.)

Well, they did get that college after all that work.

The Lagoon is close to the hill (actually more of a rise) and there is the oldest building on campus, Altgeld Hall. It is called "The Castle" because that is what it looks like. Back in the 70s there was talk of tearing of down and I am sure glad they didn't as it is a beautiful building, complete with gargoyles on the top.

From the September 5, 2018, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"A tourist, while driving across the railroad tracks at Fourth Street this noon. lost a wheel, and was held up for some time.

"A gang of strong fellows standing nearby picked up the flivver so that the wheel could be placed again and then pushed the car clear of the tracks. There is one advantage of a flivver, it can be handles easily by a couple strong men in an accident like that."

Sunday, November 18, 2018

From the October 17, 2018, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"It is noticed of late that local automobile owners are forgetting the appeal of the fire marshal here some time ago, as well as the city ordnance relative to the parking of cars near fire hydrants.

"Day after day, local people, who know better, are seen parking cars directly in front of a fire plug on Lincoln Highway and should the department have occasion to connect onto the plug the car would have to be removed several feet."

Monday, November 12, 2018

Well, at least it was football during the day. To me, that is when football should be played, even if we puppy out at cold days. (Nor do I like to see games in the rain.) I don't like the fact that all high school games being played on Friday nights. When we went to Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois, all our games were on Saturdays and I sure would like to see high school games returning to then.

Plus, even worse, all of NIU's games in November are at night. Let's see, night football in DeKalb, Illinois? Might there be a chance that it will be c-o-l-d!!! You betcha. No way I am going to sit out in the cold like that, plus, the games are generally shown on TV. I'll sit home and watch it.

The Mid-American Conference, which Northern is in, has a contract with ESPN for these games which is the only way we can get on national TV. It's good to be on national TV, but it hurts the football experience because of the severe cold temps here in the upper Midwest where all of the teams are located.

The TV crews are always sure to keep the shots tight so you don't see how few people are in the stands.

Of they want the MAC on TV and it has to be at night during the week, then put us on in September. Let the Sun Belt have the November night games. It is warmer in the South, after all.

Continued from October 23, 2018. Click on the NIU Homecoming label below to see the first entry.

OCTOBER 13, SATURDAY

We checked into the Red Roof Inn on Lincoln Highway. We had our wedding rehearsal dinner at this place back on August 25, 1973 after being married at the Newman Center at NIU. At that time it was a Holiday Inn and later a Best Western.

Back in the earlier days when we came to DeKalb for NIU Homecomings we stayed at the Motel 6, jut to the east of the Red Roof Inn. Unfortunately, it was allowed to run down and closed while it was a Travel Inn several years back and it is still vacant.

We were thinking of going to the football game as we had arrived in time, but too late to do any of the pre-Homecoming partying. Plus, it was quite cold with a stiff wind blowing. Neither Liz or myself is too keen on sitting outside in cold, windy weather.

So, we decided not to go to the game. We figured we could watch it in one of the college bars like Lord Stanley's.

Sunday, November 11, 2018

In just a little while I'll be going over to the Fox Lake train station where the American Legion and VFW are having a commemoration of the end of World War I, Armistice Day, which took place 100 years ago today. My two grandfathers were in the war, one in the Army and the other in the Merchant Marine.

Also, today is Veterans Day.

The Armistice was only temporary and peace did not completely come until the Treaty of Versailles was signed the following year.

November 11 is a national holiday in France as well as other Allied countries. In some countries, Armistice Day coincides with Remembrance Day or Veterans Day.

Monday, November 5, 2018

SEPTEMBER 28-- The Standin' On the Corner statue in Winslow, Arizona, is marking its 20th anniversary. To put it mildly, it is an oft-photographed piece of work. Who knows how many selfies have been taken there. Money well spent for the town

Of course, the "Standin' On the Corner" was taken from the Eagles' song "Take It Easy."

The statue was sculpted by Ronald Adamson of Libby, Montana and it is not of one of the song's co-writers and singer of the song, Glenn Frey, as most think. (Nor is it of the other writer, Jackson Browne.)

Well, you know the words, but I'll write them down anyway: "Well, I'm standin' on the corner in Winslow, Arizona, (Add 'Right on Route 66' here) such a fine sight to see, it's a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford slowing down to take a look at me."

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

A fun time of the year begins this Friday, the Illinois High School Association begins its five week countdown to a grand champion in 8 classes.

Every year, I have my own playoffs between Lincoln Highway and Route 66. I have been doing it since 2012 when Lincoln Highway won. Overall since then Lincoln Highway leads 4-2. Final winner is last team standing.

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

We have been to most homecomings for Northern Illinois since graduating. Occasionally, however, not for the game and due to a late start from home, we did not see the game.

Woke up late to the first frost f the season.

When we finally got underway, we drove the old way to DeKalb, Il-47 through Huntley to Plank Road to Il. 23. We used to go through Sycamore on 23, but now use the new Peace Road as a Sycamore bypass to 23 south of Sycamore. (We drove the old way because right now there is all the road construction on Il-176 to Marengo and on Il-23 south of there. We started taking this to avoid the horrendous traffic mess that is Huntley, Illinois.)

Plank Road was built in 1850, and, as the name implied was made of wooden planks to make travel easier. This was a long plank road. There were toll booths along it. Now, of course, it is paved.

Illinois Highway 23 between Sycamore and DeKalb was one of the first paved roads in Illinois and was finished as a two lane in 1917. It became a four-lane super highway in 1941, just as World War II was about to begin. Today it is an extremely congested, stoplighted highway.

Monday, October 22, 2018

SEPTEMBER 21-- There is a new Oklahoma Route 66 guide put out by the state tourism department. It highlights more than 120 state attractions along the road.

I thought the old one was very good myself, but look forward to seeing a new one.

SEPTEMBER 22-- A new marker in Bloomington, Illinois, tells of the city's parks being segregated.against Blacks during the Jim Crow era. This took place at Miller Park. Negroes had very bad conditions where they were able to go.

A part of Route 66's history that needs to be told. It was a great road for Whites, but not so great for Blacks.

Saturday, October 20, 2018

SEPTEMBER 8-- Cucamonga Service Station gets government award for preservation. In Rancho Cucamonga, California. One of the prettiest of the old gas stations.

SEPTEMBER 17-- The rebuilt Parkview Inn in Bloomington, Illinois, may reopen in November.

It was destroyed by fire two years ago. It opened in 1928 and was on the 1930-1940 Route 66 alignment on Morris Avenue.

Never eaten there but will look for it the next time through. Since the Bloomington-Normal area has finally accepted its Route 66 heritage, we will now drive through it instead of taking I-55 around it.

Enjoyed the breakfast at the Baymont. Lots of news on the Supreme Court nominee Kavanaugh. Seems strange to me that these women would all of a sudden have recollections of way past things like this at this time. Such a coincidence isn't a coincidence.

And, Wisconsin politics are every bit as low as those in Illinois. All that mudslinging.

And everyone has Brewer Fever right now with this run at the NL Central pennant.

Our Chevy dealer had told us that the battery in the '11 Malibu was really low a few months back. Evidently they were right as the car died and needed a jump. Thank goodness Glenn was there as he really knows his car stuff.

Jumped the car and left it on the whole trip home. As usual, we encountered some traffic jams around Milwaukee.

Then Liz drove the Malibu to Ray Chevrolet and I followed in the truck. We dropped the Malibu off and went over to the Squaw Bar and sure had a great time as the Bears destroyed Tampa Bay. Both the Cubs and Brewers won so will have a one-game playoff tomorrow to determine the NL Central winner.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

We left the Brown Baer Bar and went to the Osthoff for cocktail hour with open bar and lots of hors d'oeuvres passed around when you could flag one of the fast-moving waiters down.

Again, a proud Wisconsin beer in tap, Spotted Cow from New Glarus. Sat with Kevin and Kelly.who were glad to be nearing the end if the wedding.

Much relief. Now they can have fun.

As is the new custom, there was no greeting line as we entered the ballroom (something I don't miss) They do a lot of weddings and events at the Osthoff and their people keep everything moving along expertly (if not expensively).

However, another new custom seems that the newlyweds do not walk around to tables to thank people for coming. We never had any words with them at all. I don't much care for this.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Saturday there wasn't much to do until the wedding which took place outside at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake. I did find out that the area is famous for its Road America Race Course, located between Plymouth and Elkhart Lake. And, they have Indy Car racing so one of these days I might go there for a race.

Today was quite chilly, but the wedding was held outside anyway by the gazebo. Beautiful scenery, but still quite cool and uncomfortable. We had two hours to kill before the reception.

Glen, Barb, Julie, Liz and I went to a local bar/pub called Brown Baer (Baer is the name of one of the owners) which is eye-catching in the fact that it must have a hundred beer taps outside it. A real nice bar. At one time it was a blacksmith shop.

Monday, October 15, 2018

We stayed at the Baymont Hotel in Plymouth because we were in Wisconsin for the marriage of Tim and Jordan, the son of Kevin and Kelly (Usual Suspects) , good friends of ours, Unfortunately, the Osthoff Resort on Rlkhart Lake, where the wedding and reception took place is a whole lot more money than we care to pay, so we saved about a third of the price but had to drive eight miles to the Ostoff.

Today, we were at the wedding rehearsal dinner. With some difficulty, we found the Ostoff (which is in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, even though it is a huge place). We had a pizza buffet and I must admit this to be some of the best and most unique pizzas I ever had. Plus, they had Spotted Cow Beer, from New Glarus, Wisconsin, in a keg.

Got together with other friends Barb and Glenn from the Usual Suspects and talked with Kevin and Kelly.

We didn't stay long as I was more than a bit tired from all that traffic driving earlier.

We drove to Wisconsin today, taking smaller roads up into Wisconsin to avoid the ridiculous tolls in Illinois, on I-94. Then it was on that road to Milwaukee. Most of the time we had road construction as a huge project us underway on this heavily traveled road between Milwaukee and Chicago. At several points we had huge traffic jams.

We arrived in Milwaukee at 3 and found that its rush hour was well underway and encountered two more major jams. To say that this was not much of a fun drive would be an understatement. Then, we took I-43 north and soon encountered another traffic jam.

We were sure glad to get to Wis.-57 which we took to the Baymont Hotel in Plymouth where we stayed he next two nights.

"A farmer's horse hitched to a single buggy became frightened at a puffing engine lst night while waiting to get across Seventh Street in DeKalb and when the gates were raised, the animal started on a gallop and became unmanageable.

"Fortunately, the North Seventh Street thoroughfare was not a busy one at that time of the accident and the runaway horse had the entire street to himself."

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

I usually run these Along 66 posts a month behind time, but in the case of something happening like this, I put it up earlier.

SEPTEMBER 29-- On October 11, the Illinois Rock and Roll Museum in Joliet will host a fundraiser. They have a spot for the museum picked out and are currently negotiating with the owners and hope to be open sometime in 2019.

The fundraiser will be at the Jacob Henry Mansion at 20 S. Eastern Avenue. Tickets are $50 VIP and $25. Ronnie Rice (of the New Colony Six) and Skip Griparis (one man show) will perform.

Monday, October 8, 2018

These items are taken from the Route 66 News site. I only pick the ones that are of most interest to me. The site has an article everyday, so if you want to know what is going on along the Mother Road, check it out.

SEPTEMBER 8

Officials in Miami, Oklahoma, will use to Rails to Trails to rehabilitate the 9-foot-wide section of Route 66 between Miami and Afton.

The eight mile stretch will be turned into a walking, biking and hiking trail.

The Sidewalk Highway, Ribbon Road was built in 1922 and made narrow so that it could cover more mileage.

These stories are taken from the Route 66 News site on the internet. I only take the stories of most interest to me and there are a lot of others, so if you want to know anything about what is going on along our favorite road, this is your go-to place.

AUGUST 29 Illinois Bruce Rauner led a parade of hundreds of motorcycles to four Route 66 sites to celebrate Illinois' Bicentennial.

** Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington

** Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac

** Kelly's On 66 Restaurant in Lexington

** The Mill in Lincoln

They started in Shorewood (near Joliet) and ended at the Governor's Mansion in Springfield where they had a barbecue.

It benefited the Chicago Honor Flight Association.

I do not always agree with the governor (but sure back him in the Madigan Wars), but it is hard to not like a governor who loves his motorcycle and Route 66.

Thursday, October 4, 2018

AUGUST 28 The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, is up for sale. Kevin and Nancy Mueller have had it fir eight years and are of the opinion it is now time to pass the torch. They said they will continue operations as usual until it is sold.

They listed it at $1.2 million. If I recall, when they bought it the price was around $150,000.

The motel was built in 1939 by W.A. Huggins. It is one of the best-preserved motor courts in Route 66 with original attached garages, stucco walls and that 1950s eye-catcher of a neon sign. It was put on the NRHP in 1993.

Lillian Redman owned it for more than forty years and her kindness to travelers was legendary. Dale and Hilda Bakke bought it in the late 1990s.

We were fortunate enough to stay there one night; a real experience. When it was last for sale I even thought about buying it but then decided it would be too much work.

AUGUST 25-- Dew Chilli Parlor in Springfield, Illinois, located a short distance off Route 66 is closing because of traffic and parking issues, but don't worry, they have two other locations in the city that remain open.

The one that is closing is at 1216 S. Fifth Street and has been there since 1954. the other two locations are at 2312 Wabash Avenue (the 1926-1930 Route 66 alignment) and 301 N. Grand Ave. West. A third Dew Chilli will be opening at 2690 S. Dirksen Parkway in October -- another Route 66 alignment.

Joe Bockelmann served his first bowl of chilli in 1909 while operating out of his house on Sixth Street (Rt 66) He was evicted from it and relocated to the South Fifth Street location that is closing in 1954 and ran it until his death in 1975.

We'll have to check one of these places out our next trip to Springfield as I have never heard of them. I am familiar with some of the chilli places.

TO SIR WITH LOVE-- Lulu
BERNADETTE-- Four Tops
I CAN SEE FOR MILES-- Who
DANDELION-- Rolling Stones

KENTUCKY WOMAN-- Neil Diamond
PEOPLE ARE STRANGE-- Doors
I WAS MADE TO LOVE HER-- Stevie Wonder

In case you're wondering, the #1 song this date in 1967 was "The Letter" by the Box Tops. The #1 selling album was "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely hearts Club Band" and the #1 movie at the box office was "Bonnie and Clyde."

Name That Tune (from the above songs): "'Scuse Me While I Kiss The Sky." Answer below: RoadDog

Monday, October 1, 2018

1. I have been keeping a journal since 1978 and in April 1981, I noted in it after an early season trip to Wrigley Field that I couldn't drink at Wrigley Field any more.

They HAD RAISED the price of beer to $1.50!!!! How much does it cost now?

2. Liz and I used to go to Chicago at least once or twice a month. Even more often during the baseball season. But when the Cubs got their lighting and Chicago put sticker-only parking around Wrigley Field and then expanded it to anywhere in Chicago that attracted people, that was it for us.

Friday, September 28, 2018

2. WRIGLEY FIELD (Cubs) What!! How could this be? Bordering on sacrilege.

I will write the whole thing for Wrigley.

The Big Three -- Murphy's, Cubby Bear and Bernie's -- have more competition than in the old days. None of the new joints can match their tradition.

Nisei Lounge remains a bro-free alternative alternative. Rooftops are still popular, but the "cool factor" left when the Cubs gobbled up the neighborhood. Gallagher Way (formerly The Park at Wrigley) is ok for the kids.

Now that the regular season is almost over, playoffs begin next week, I figured I best finish this which I started back on July 19, 2018. If you want to see the first two posts, just click the MLB label below.

18. CITIZENS PARK-- (Phillies) Xfinity Live is a sports and entertainment venue across the street.

17. COMERCIA PARK-- (Tigers) The ballpark is a centerpiece of Detroit's amazing revitalization. Lots going on around it.

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

I sure would have to say that there sure were a lot of cities Texas and west. Somebody stuffing the ballot box?

And, I must say I like all of these cities. If it is on Route 66, I am going to like it.

I'd like to nominate St. Louis for the bridges, especially Chain of Rocks and that delightful drive along the alignment that includes Ted Drewe's. However, after what they did with the Confederate statue, they's never get my vote. I have a personal boycott going on for that city.

But, I'd sure like to put Pontiac, Illinois, up for "Capital of Route 66. There is no city on the old road more in tune with its heritage. It has become "The City of Murals" and, even better, the City of Museums." Plus, there is that beautiful courthouse.

AUGUST 14-- Of the 320 votes cast on the Route 66 News site, 194 were for Tulsa, Oklahoma. After all, it was the home of the Father of Route 66, Cyrus Avery, and major proponent of the new road. And, it is one of the largest cities along the road.

And, it has really embraced its Route 66 heritage in the last 15 years and it goes without saying, it is the home of one Michael Wallis.

Springfield, Missouri, was the runner up but was beaten by a 4-1 margin.

Saturday, September 22, 2018

AUGUST 10-- Afton Station owner David Kane, 74, died in an accident. His wife, laurel Kane died in 2016. Afton, Oklahoma.

The two of them took a run-down gas station and renovated it into quite a credit to the Mother Road. Laurel ran the station for many years and David had allowed the station to continue running as long as it didn't lose money. hard to say what will happen now. Afton sure needs to do something about keeping it open as that town is in really bad shape.

Friday, September 21, 2018

Casey is literally building reasons to attract tourists, Olney, population 8,000, is spending a massive amount of time and effort to ensure that their claim to fame does not fade away.

Olney's white squirrels at one point numbered close to 1,000, most of which descended from two initial white squirrels that were brought to town decades ago. Olney has gone Full Squirrel and have the white squirrels on their police cars, the Chamber of Commerce building and other town displays of the little critters.

Of course, making an accurate count of any kind of squirrels is more than a little bit difficult.

And, if you hurt one of the little varmints or hit one with your car, it is going to be very costly. There are even major restrictions on the activities of outdoor cats, their main predator.

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Jim Bolin built the large things to get people to come to Casey. Deb Bohannon says Casey gets about $30,000 a year in local hotel/motel tax revenue and that nine shops have opened in town in just the last two years and that they generally count at least 150 cars every day as tourist come to see the big things.

And, Casey is still building. there's a giant teeter-totter, as well as a giant spoon, key and a barbershop pole.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

The World's largest Rocker is now in Casey, Illinois, but until it was built, honors for the largest went to the Fannon Outpost on good old Route 66 just west of Cuba, Missouri. To Liz and myself, that remains the largest rocker. We don't cotton to young upstarts.

It is still there and proudly carries on the tradition of Route 66 tourist traps which would have something to draw attention and attract folks to stop in and spend money.

Plus, the new Fannon Outpost has some of the best specialty popcorn anywhere.

Last year, on Liz and my 66 on 66 tour (we were both age 66) we stopped at Rich Henry's Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, Illinois, and were talking with him when another couple came in who were driving Route 66 for the first time. They had "idge" phones and were confused when the phone app said the largest rocker was in Casey, Illinois. This is the first we had heard of the one in Casey. We told the other couple about the 66 one in Fannon, Missouri.

Small towns generally have fewer attractions than big cities, but increasingly Americans want to go there for vacation. But, families need a reason to stop. More Americans are choosing road trips.

Casey resident "big things" creator Jim Bolin had this in mind when he began building his creations. he now holds eight Guinness World Records. You can climb into his world's largest mailbox and get a great view of Casey's Main Street (and even send real letters).

He also has the World's Largest Rocking Chair at 56 feet, 1 inch, the World's Largest Golf Tee at 30 feet, 9 inches and the world's Biggest thing that started all of these huge objects, the World's Largest Wind Chime, standing 42 feet tall.

He has other really big, but not record-breaking things as well. Casey also has a No. 2 pencil and a bird cage which can hold several visitors.

There are no fancy waterparks or beaches in Casey, Illinois. As a matter of fact, it is pretty far from anything. But, if you want to see things big, this small town, population 2,700, does have some large things to see. One is the world's largest mail box and hat is just one thing they have which is the "biggest." Since the first one was built ten years ago, these giant items have sparked a lot of business on Main Street.

Casey is just one of a handful of small one-stoplight towns in central and southern Illinois which have adopted quirky claims to fame.

An hour's drive south of Casey, tiny Olney has white squirrels -- a genetic oddity. Then, Metropolis, at the southern tip of Illinois, hangs on to its title as the "Hometown of Superman" and they have been doing that for 40 years.

These oddities help bring the tourists and there is a definite economic impact.

Monday, September 17, 2018

From the January 18, 2016, Goldsboro (NC) News-Argus "Artifacts taken from beach are highlights of collection" AP

** Nellie Myrtle Pridgen 'didn't throw anything away.'

A wooden carriage from a Civil War cannon is at the front of an old store. Not far away are century old bottles, a World War I helmet, a toothy shark's jaw and door knobs washed up from a shipwreck.

The cluttered assortment of the rare, the old and the roughed up was gathered over six decades by Nellie Myrtle Pridgen. There is so much stuff packed on the shelves inside that, "You can look at a shelf ten times and come back and find something different," says Dorothy Hope.

But, this is a museum without a sign out front and no regular hours.

There are problems especially with parking and plans are underway to turn it into the Old Nags Head Cultural Preservation Center.

Saturday, September 15, 2018

"A farmer's horse hitched to a single buggy became frightened by a puffing engine last night while waiting ro get across Seventh Street in DeKalb and when the gates were raised the animal started on a gallop and became unmanageable.

"Fortunately, the North Seventh thoroughfare was not a busy one at the time of the accident and the runaway horse had the entire street to himself."

Friday, September 14, 2018

"The Rocks", built below Fort Fisher in the late 19th century is a long rock jetty built from Fort Fisher's Battery Buchanan to aid navigation by stopping the shoaling of the Cape Fear River from sand coming in through what used to be known as New Inlet. New Inlet was a major entrance and exit for blockade runners during the Civil War.

It was finished in 1881 and created a huge lagoon behind it now known as "The Basin." Today, "The Basin" is part of the Zeke's Island component of the North Carolina National Estuary Research Reserve.

The southern tip of New Hanover County (Wilmington) became an island when Snow's Cut was dredged between the Cape Fear River and the sound in 1925. A canal that connects it with Masonboro Sound is now part of the Intercoastal Waterway.

The Cut was named for Major William A. Snow , Chief Engineer for the Wilmington District.

I imagine that now, because of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Florence, the "Rocks" are underwater with all the flooding and surges. They were already in bad shape before this, but I imagine much worse now.

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

From 1912-1915, the DAR placed markers from North Carolina to Kentucky to designate Daniel Boone's 1769 road. Bison first traveled the road searching for grazing and salt licks. They were followed by the Cherokee and Shawnee Indians.

In 1750, Thomas Walker was the first recorded white man to follow it. Daniel Boone made his first trip over it in 1769 and in 1779 he began to blaze and widen it.

It was later named the Wilderness Road and an estimated 300,000 Americans crossed the Cumberland Gap between 1790 and 1810 heading west.

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

From the September 11, 2016, Chicago Tribune "Remnant from 9/11 attacks to get salute" by Mike Nolan.

For the 15th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, a steel beam from one of the World Trade Center towers that is displayed outside a Tinley Park fire station will get some long-overdue recognition.

Village firefighters retrieved the 6-foot-long, 1,000 pound beam and brought it to Tinley Park in time for the 10th anniversary commemoration. However, those passing the village's public safety building might not be aware of the beam since there is no marker of any sort to connect it to the event.

It is partially perched on some rocks on the building's north side, on 173rd Place just west of Oak Park Avenue. Plans call for it to be removed to a more permanent setting in or near Zabrocki Plaza, less than a block to the east.

This will be continued in today's Cooter's History Thing blog. You can click on it to the right of this.

Saturday, September 8, 2018

In a little while I will be driving to Antioch, Illinois, to see the Lincoln Funeral Railroad Car. This is not the original one that transported his body back to Springfield, but a faithful recreation that was made for the sesquicentennial of his death back in 2015. I understand that after this, it goes to a private collector so last chance to see it.

This afternoon Liz and I will drive to DeKalb, Illinois, and attend the NIU President's Reception at the Barsema Alumni Center where we will hear talks by her and athletic folks as well as a synopsis on the NIU-Utah game tonight. We are invited because of our scholarship to the education department.

Then, we have nice seats for the game.

Tomorrow we will be hurrying back home as Johnsburg has its annual Saufen Und Spiel celebration to honor its German heritage with the parade, bands and even an oom-pah one and German food. We will watch the parade from Sunnyside Tap.

Friday, September 7, 2018

"Saturday night was the occasion of the opening of the new Ford sales and service station at the corner of First and Lincoln Highway and the Fordson tractor demonstration which was held there was largely attended during the evening.

"The Fordson was not exactly demonstrated but was on exhibition at the new garage and attracted no little attention.

They had originally expected it to open by fall 1917, so this is considerably late. Perhaps shorgaes because of the war?

Thursday, September 6, 2018

AUGUST 6-- A vintage photo of John's Modern Cabins has surfaced. Route 66 postcard collector and author Jon Sonderman has unearthed a long-forgotten photo of the place

It was taken in August 1966 and there is also a rare photo of Vernelle's Motel from the same period.

We hardly ever drive by John's Modern Cabins without stopping to see how much worse it looks. It is so sad, but, thanks to Roamin' Rich and the group, this past June it looked better than we've seen it ever.

But, to me that picture looks like it was run-down even when it was operating.

This is the only-known picture of the place while it was an operating business.

It was originally known as Bill and Bess' Placing dating to 1931. The previous oldest-known photo was taken by Quinta Scott in 1979, years after the place closed and the death of its owner.There Have To Be Other Pictures Out There. Thanks Jon. --RoadDog

These are taken from the Route 66 News site which has a lot more articles, pictures and information. I just pick out the ones I am most interested in. If you are a Route 66 fan, this site is the best one out there for keeping up with what is happening.

AUGUST 3-- A florist will take over the Hi-Way Tavern building in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it will be remodeled into Krupp Florist.

The bar was opened by Sicilian Frank and Dora Catalano in 1934. They advertised "Good Cheer With Good Beer."

Always great when an old building is put to new use rather than torn down. However, I don't remember ever seeing it.

AUGUST 3-- Kum & Go won't p[ave over all of the original Route 66 section after all. Their first plans really drew the wrath of many. This is in Springfield, Missouri, and we were fortunate to find this back in 2017 when Liz and I took our 66 on 66 Road Trip.